100 Years of Reformed Creeds Regarding the State of the Dead

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Intellectual honesty. One sign of it is the humility to look ‘back’ to the past, when in God’s providence, the Lord raised up godly and brilliant men who literally re-discovered the gospel, which had been largely lost for 1,000 years.

The time of the Reformation ( 1500’s) through Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin, and their successors, was a time of unprecedented theological clarity. In the crucible of intense debate, controversy and persecution, unprecedented theological precision was attained. The Reformed (teaching of the Reformation) Creeds, Confessions, and catechisms that came from the 16th and 17th centuries, yielded the finest summaries of the Christian Faith that exist up til this day.

Some folks dislike creeds but EVERYONE has a pre-supposed set of beliefs regarding the bible that act as a de facto creed. “Only Jesus” is my creed is a reply. Okay, which Jesus? There is a New Age Jesus…a ‘Jesus’ for every heretical group.

The question I asked was this: was there a consensus amongst these theologians—spanning 100 years or so-- regarding what happens to our souls when we die? You will note the unyielding certainty and agreement amongst ALL of these various documents.

It would be arrogant to overlook these documents as if we were the first generation of Christians on the planet…we stand on these giants shoulders.

Creativity is a great thing, EXCEPT in theology. Creativity in the realm of theology, which seems to drive many today, invariably leads to heresy. The bible sets the contours from which our beliefs must adhere. And the Confessions that come from this period are passionately committed to the principle of Sola scriptura…and yield precise and uncompromising summaries of bible doctrine.

I have noticed that some will look high and low to find those few exceptions who agree with their unbiblical views regarding ghosts—that is NOT intellectual honesty. It is eisogesis of historical theology. Intellectual honesty requires that we not neglect the consensus beliefs from brothers, both past and present. The burden of proof lies on the shoulders of those who would deviate from the historical Reformed Confessions regarding the state of the dead.

Below is a brief defense of the importance of Creeds. Please take the time to read this brief article, as it has fresh insights that I’m sure many of you will find refreshing and exhilarating.

Why Creeds and Confessions?
by David Hall
Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ. Jesus responded that His church in all ages would be built upon that realization. The paramount thing confessed was Christ, who is the unique Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16), the cornerstone of the church. However, the means to that end—confessing—is also a very important activity confessing is:

The way to forgiveness of our sins (James 5:16);
How the saved are identified (Rom. 10:10);
The signature that the Spirit is already working in a person (1 Cor. 12:3);
The advertisement of our hope (Heb. 10:23);
Accompanied by obedience (2 Cor. 9:13); and
What Christ Himself did (1 Tim. 6:13).
As Christians, we must embrace a mature biblical norm of confessing our faith. Let me offer briefly five reasons why a written confession is helpful:

First, written confessions represent maturity. A confessional communion is more than fly-by-night. It is relatively easy to produce a personal statement of faith or a position paper on a narrow subject. However, only those confessions that are tested by many generations endure. Just as yesterday’s pop music hardly inspires anymore, so a transient confession is slightly embarrassing. But classic creeds, produced by seasoned Christians, stand the test of time. a confession is a mature, proven set of beliefs. Wouldn’t you rather be guided by such a statement than by an ill-defined set of beliefs or an immature statement of faith?

Second, written confessions keep believers from having to reinvent the wheel. Creeds and confessions can put the student at the head of the class in a hurry. If one need not formulate every bit of doctrine himself, that is, if he is humble enough to listen quickly to other saints (James 1:19), he can spare himself considerable time and countless dead ends. He will avoid paths that are “useless to further reconnoiter,” as theologian Abraham Kuyper recognized.

Third, written confessions are a non-prejudicial way of telling outsiders what we believe. In an age that craves authenticity and transparency, many people get fed up with vague “trust me” statements or calls to give money blindly. A confession is an unashamedly public act; it means that what we believe is neither secret nor windblown for individual taste. It enables any visitors to find out what we believe.

Fourth, it protects against idiosyncrasy and “movementism.” Sadly, there are more christians who follow celebrity leaders than ever before, and those movements based on unbiblical, idiosyncratic leaders seldom end well. Pining for “movementism” or following a hero often yields chaos, will-worship, self-promoting cults, confusion, or continual flux. A confession is ready-made for all those who want to participate in Christian discipleship that is bigger than their own time.

Fifth, it requires us to repent and give up some of our own wrong notions. One of the reasons that confessions are distasteful to some is their unbending quality. Yet a faith that is twisted to each of my preferences is vacuous. The nonnegotiable ethos of a confession may actually force a slacker generation to return to Scripture and steer through some difficult issues. Such may actually help us mature.

As long as a confession is thoroughly biblical (thus timeless) and not provincial, it can aid; a confession in the hands of pastoral and spiritual leaders can vitally serve unity and clarity.

A confession, if a faithful echo of what God already says, can guide us and shelter us from the disabilities of an age or locale. Confessions that parrot and lightly amplify the soundings of scripture endure, while also equipping God’s family with strength and perspective to avoid the ditches of every fad or heresy. Confessions that stand on the shoulders of previous saintly exegetes are the advanced courses that settle certain matters and yield a head start.

A confession is also simultaneously shorthand and proven wisdom; it is orthodoxy and orthopraxy at once. unless one’s life span is infinite, when we pray for God to “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12), confessions will often help us in the stewardship of time as well as protect us from crippling idiosyncratism.

The purpose of a confession is to bolster both unity and clarity. Many of us learn the hard way that the most damning standards are the unwritten ones. Pharisees, ancient and modern, are masters of using unwritten standards to club the uninitiated into a coma. A biblical confession, however, frees the believing community from these secret laws. It liberates us from self-imposed standards and also makes the church open to all under the same standards.

Kuyper was right to counsel against diverging from fixed confessions until compelled to do so by the Bible. Far from being forbidden, holding to sound confessions is little more than following the New Testament pattern. Rather than contradicting sola Scriptura, a confession is actually a sound guide to it.

Now we come to six creedal statements, from roughly 1,550-1,650 AD. They come from various countries, and as you shall see, they are simply marvelous in their content. And they ALL agree regarding the state of the dead—both righteous and unrighteous.

Westminster Confession 1646 (this confession is still held in high regard by many churches, and I personally think it is the best ever written…i.e. most biblical) We use it regularly in my church to publicly confess what we believe during worship. I will not comment…just enjoy reading these marvelous summaries…..regarding one key issue.

Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead

I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption:[1] but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: [2] the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.[3] And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.[4] Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.

II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed:[5] and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever.[6]

III. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honor; and be made conformable to His own glorious body

Second Helvetic Confession-1566

THE STATE OF THE SOUL DEPARTED FROM THE BODY. For we believe that the faithful, after bodily death, go directly to Christ, and, therefore, do not need the eulogies and prayers of the living for the dead and their services. Likewise we believe that unbelievers are immediately cast into hell from which no exit is opened for the wicked by any services of the living.

PURGATORY. But what some teach concerning the fire of purgatory is opposed to the Christian faith, namely, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins, and the life everlasting," and to the perfect purgation through Christ, and to these words of Christ our Lord: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24). Again: "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over, and you are clean" (John 13:10).

APPARITION OF SPIRITS. Now what is related of the spirits or souls of the dead sometimes appearing to those who are alive, and begging certain duties of them whereby they may be set free, we count those apparitions among the laughingstocks, crafts, and deceptions of the devil, who, as he can transform himself into an angel of light, so he strives either to overthrow the true faith or to call it into doubt. In the Old Testament the Lord forbade the seeking of the truth from the dead, and any sort of commerce with spirits Deut. 18:11). Indeed, as evangelical truth declares, the glutton, being in torment, is denied a return to his brethren, as the divine oracle declared in the words: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:29 ff.).

Irish Articles of Religion-1615

OF THE STATE OF THE SOULS OF MEN AFTER THEY BE DEPARTED OUT OF THIS LIFE, TOGETHER WITH THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND THE LAST JUDGMENT.

101. After this life is ended the souls of God's children be presently received into heaven, there to enjoy unspeakable comforts; the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, there to endure endless torments.

102. The doctrine o£ the Church of Rome concerning Limbus Patrum, Limbus Puerorum, Purgatory, Prayer for the Dead, Pardons, Adoration of Images and Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is vainly invented without all warrant of holy Scripture, yea, and is contrary unto the same.

103. At the end of this world the Lord Jesus shall come in the clouds with the glory of his Father; at which time, by the almighty power of God, the living shall be changed and the dead shall be raised; and all shall appear both in body and soul before his judgment-seat, to receive according to that which they have done in their bodies, whether good or evil.

104. When the last judgment is finished, Christ shall deliver up the kingdom to his Father, and God shall be all in all.

Baptist Confession of Faith-1689

OF THE STATE OF MAN AFTER DEATH, AND OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
Paragraph 1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption;1 but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them.2  The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies;3 and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day;4 besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
1 Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36
2 Eccles. 12:7
3 Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:1,6,8; Phil. 1:23; Heb. 12:23
4 Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23,24

Paragraph 2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep, but be changed;5 and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other;6 although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.7
5 1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thess. 4:17
6 Job 19:26,27
7 1 Cor. 15:42,43

Paragraph 3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.8
8 Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29; Phil. 3:21

Scottish Confession of Faith—1560 (John Knox)

Chapter 17

The Immortality of the Souls
The elect departed are in peace and rest from their labours:[1] not that they sleep and come to a certain oblivion (as some fantastics do affirm), but that they are delivered from all fear, all torment, and all temptation, to which we and all God's elect are subject in this life,[2] and therefore do bear the name of the kirk militant: as contrariwise, the reprobate and unfaithful departed, have anguish, torment, and pain, that cannot be expressed.[3] So that neither are the one nor the other in such sleep that they feel not joy or torment, as the parable of Christ Jesus in the sixteenth [chapter] of Luke,[4] his words to the thief,[5] and these words of the souls crying under the altar,[6] O Lord, thou that art righteous and just, how long shalt thou not revenge our blood upon them that dwell upon the earth! doth plainly testify.

1. Rev. 14:13.

2. Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:14-17; 21:4.

3. Rev. 16:10-11; Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:44, 46, 48.

4. Luke 16:23-26.

5. Luke 23:43.

6. Rev. 6:9-10.

Heidelberg Catechism—1563

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a) am not my own, (b) but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e) and so preserves me (f) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g) yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

Question 57. What comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford thee?

Answer: That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its head; (a) but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ. (b)

(a)    Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Philip.1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philip.1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (b) 1 Cor.15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Cor.15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Philip.3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

There are numerous avenues to pursue which lead to a proper understanding of what happens to ALL souls upon death. One such avenue is to ask what the leading theologians of the past and their confessions taught. Ours is a day in which historical theology is frowned upon, but surely such hubris is fraught with peril.

Is it not instructive that all of the Reformed Confessions quoted above come to the same conclusion regarding the status of the souls of the deceased? Did you note that the Second Helvetic Confession even mentions the demonic nature of apparitions? This is the teaching of historic Christianity from the 16th and 17th centuries regarding the notion of ghosts, and they present a united mind. Before you deviate from this consensus, it is incumbent upon you to provide the burden of proof that they were wrong. Thus far, nobody has come close to showing that the classical view of life after death is mistaken…though some have tried…and failed miserably.

Of course these confessions are not the bible. However, their purpose was/is to summarize accurately and systematically the teaching of the bible. These confessions in particular are the most consistent summaries of biblical teaching, in my opinion….especially the Westminster Confession…Larger and Shorter Catechisms.

It saddens me how many adopt a dismissive attitude toward the herculean efforts of the saints from centuries past. Church history is an extension of the book of Acts, and there are so many lessons we can learn. One lesson is that our Reformation heroes (and successors) are united in their view of life after death. Surely that should have some impact on you if you are a Christian.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Rev. Mark Hunnemann Interviewed by Laura MaxwellExSpiritist

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

I had the singular honor of being interviewed my Laura Maxwell for three interviews (false deliverances, purgatory, poltergeists, residual energy, etc!!) To view them on YouTube please see: "Laura Maxwell and Mark Hunnemann on Youtube" and share with any who are seeking, please. Thank you and God bless!!

Recently I read that a particular group was claiming that only Enoch and Elijah are in heaven. This is quite bizarre but it provides an opportunity to re-clarify a very significant issue--the intermediate state! In essence, our HOPE!!

What happens after we die? If there had been no Fall, we do not know how humans would have left this world; if they would have left it at all. But the fact is that there was a historical Fall, where a literal Adam and Eve rebelled against God. The result was God's judgement, which included the separation of body and soul through bodily death (Gen. 2:17; 3:19, 22; Rom. 5:12; 8:10; 1 Cor. 15:21) The separation of soul and body is a consequence of the spiritual separation from God.

You may have heard that the way some banks taught their tellers to distinguish between real currency and counterfeit was to handle the real so much, that they would instinctively know the counterfeit. In this newsletter I want us to handle the truth about the so-called Intermediate State; to focus on it, so that the errors surrounding the notion of ghosts will be instinctively and manifestly apparent.

Hence, death  is both real and abnormal. It is real as opposed to those who say that death is a mere illusion. Physical death is abnormal in that it was not the normal way God had originally created the world. Death is the violent disruption of the vibrant flow of life.No wonder there is the instinctive fear of this ripping apart of the soul from the body at death. In itself death is an enemy (1 Cor. 15:26) and a terror (Heb. 2:15).

For followers of Christ the terror of physical death has been abolished. Jesus rose from the dead after He had died as a substitute for our sin, and bore the punishment for our sin. He promised to help us as we left this world (our souls) for the place He has prepared for us in heaven (John 14:2,3)

Christians know that our upcoming deaths (if Jesus does not come back before then) is an appointment to meet our Savior--an appointment He will always faithfully keep. Paul ( and we) could say, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." And he yearned "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." (Phil. 1:21,23). He knew with utter certainty that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8) I have read some pretty ridiculous attempts to explain away these clear texts.

Upon death the souls of believers are made perfect in holiness and enter into the worshiping community in heaven (Heb. 12:22-24). We are glorified. This eliminates any notion of a Purgatory and it also dispenses with the common error of "soul-sleep". The bible consistently teaches that our glorified (made perfect) souls are conscious during the Intermediate State (Lk. 16:22; 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 6:9-11; 14:13).In 2 Cor. 5 Paul discusses how our glorified souls will be reunited with our glorified bodies. Perfect soul within a perfect body! This is a distinctively Christian idea.

The bible emphatically teaches that death is decisive for eternal destiny.There is no second chance for salvation after we die. (Luke 16:26; Heb.9:27) After death, both believers and unbelievers will reap what we have sown in this world (Gal. 6:7,8).But believers will be in heaven for all eternity, while unbelievers will suffer for all eternity in hell.

Now that we have handled the truth regarding death, should not the counterfeit nature of the notion of earthbound spirits be readily apparent?

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Jesus Christ & Belief in Purgatory

Many people in faith from different Christian based religions outside of Catholicism have a belief in doctrine similar to Catholic Purgatory.  This would thus confuse people, and thus give these people the false beliefs of any spirit lingering around for unfinished business, otherwise known as a “Ghost”. These false doctrines are still in act today and thus they deceive all mankind.  The words of Jesus Christ recorded in Matthew 24:4 clearly gives us answers to false doctrines, “And Jesus answered and sayeth unto to them, Take heed that no man deceive you”.

Therefore this belief that one must be held to redeem oneself in order to be accepted by God is wrong.  So the search for the truth must be undertaken.  This document is not bashing “Catholics” or others for I have met many who do not accept this false belief of Purgatory, but I have also met many who do, especially in this specialized ministry for the Kingdom of God.  The intent of this discussion to sharpen your mind to show you the truth of what the Bible states. For the Bible is the absolute key to our lives today, tomorrow and forever.

Question: "What does the Bible say about Purgatory and is it in line with Jesus Christ?"

Answer:  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Purgatory is “a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” To summarize, in Catholic theology Purgatory is a place that a Christian’s soul goes to after death to be cleansed of the sins that had not been fully satisfied during life.

Is this doctrine of Purgatory in agreement with the Holy Bible or Jesus Christ?  Absolutely not!

Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins (Romans 5:8). Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  Jesus suffered for our sins so that we could be delivered from suffering.  To say that we must also suffer for our sins is to say that Jesus’ suffering was insufficient.  To say that we must atone for our sins by cleansing in Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus (1 John 2:2).  The idea that we have to suffer for our sins after death is contrary to everything the Bible says about salvation.

The primary Scriptural passage Catholics point to for evidence of Purgatory is 1 Corinthians 3:15, which states, “If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”  The passage (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) is using an illustration of things going through fire as a description of believers’ works being judged.

If our works are of good quality “gold, silver, costly stones,” they will pass through the fire unharmed, and we will be rewarded for them.  If our works are of poor quality “wood, hay, and straw,” they will be consumed by the fire, and there will be no reward. The passage does not say that believers pass through the fire, but rather that a believer’s works pass through the fire.  1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to the believer “escaping through the flames,” not “being cleansed by the flames.”

Purgatory, like many other Catholic dogmas, is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s sacrifice.  Catholics view the Mass / Eucharist as a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice because they fail to understand that Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice was absolutely and perfectly sufficient (Hebrews 7:27).

Catholics view meritorious works as contributing to salvation due to a failure to recognize that Jesus’ sacrificial payment has no need of additional “contribution” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Similarly, Purgatory is understood by Catholics as a place of cleansing in preparation for heaven because they do not recognize that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are already cleansed, declared righteous, forgiven, redeemed, reconciled, and sanctified.

The very idea of Purgatory and other religion doctrines that are often attached to it (prayer for the dead, indulgences, meritorious works on behalf of the dead, etc.) all fail to recognize that Jesus’ death was sufficient to pay the penalty for ALL of our sins.  Jesus, who was God incarnate (John 1:1-14), paid the ultimate price for all our sins.  

Thus when Christ gave up his life upon the cross (with the two other thieves) who were also upon the cross recorded in John 19:30 discusses what were the last words of Jesus Christ, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”  By the words spoken from Lord Jesus Christ means two things – (1) My Heavenly Father’s will is done as the sacrificed Lamb and (2) His death is sufficient for all – past, present and future.

This leads into why then Christ descended into Hell, known as the “harrowing of Hell”.  This harrowing was a directive by the Father to take those held for GOD deemed worthy to be taken back to Heaven to be made pure.  For those who had died could not enter Heaven, until the Lamb of God was sacrificed to pay the sins of those who preceded in death prior to Jesus being born.

Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).  Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2).  To limit Jesus’ sacrifice to atoning for original sin, or sins committed before salvation, is an attack on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.  If we must in any sense pay for, atone for, or suffer because of our sins – that indicates Jesus’ death was not a perfect, complete, and sufficient sacrifice.  Therefore this makes a mockery out of God.  God is not to be mocked (Galatians 6:7), for God is righteous and true.

For believers, after death is to be "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23).  Notice that this does not say "away from the body, in Purgatory with the cleansing fire."  No, because of the perfection, completion, and sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice, we are immediately in the Lord's presence after death, fully cleansed, free from sin, glorified, perfected, and ultimately sanctified.

Hopefully this document has been able to help you and thus sharpen you to speak.  For iron sharpens iron and we are commanded to go into the world to those who have been deceived.  Many people in the paranormal world hold onto a falseness of assisting those in between worlds, because a priest told them to pray for those in bondage after death. Thus many paranormal teams, spiritual leaders as well as those victims of paranormal activity facilitate this false doctrine of belief and unfortunately this is very wrong.

Rev. Bradley Luoma,  SOSM, Registered Exorcist & Certified Instructor for the A.A.E

The Paranormal Christian – Spirit Talk

By Pastor Michael Frisbee, DD/DM

When one does a search of paranormal research and investigations, watch the several different ghost hunting shows on cable television, or searches for books of these same topics, the subject or ability of mediums inevitably surfaces.  Without a doubt, people claiming the ability to sense the presence and communicate with the dead grows each passing day.  There are para-celebrity mediums like John Edwards, Sylvia Browne, and James vanPraagh, lesser known mediums that are making a name for themselves on shows like Paranormal State, The Dead Files, etc, and then your unknown mediums, the people who claim this ability that attach themselves to Paranormal Investigative Teams.

Within this group of mediums, you have the fakes (cold and warm readers with no real ability) and those with an actual gift.  The fakes, their problems lie in the deceptions that they are conducting for which they will have to atone when they pass.  They will be surprised by whom they will be atoning to.  The reason I mention the particular three celebrities above is because they are FAKES.  They have all been tested and observed, and it has become apparent they are using these “Mentalist”-style techniques to gather information and feed it back to get a “reading”.  You can do a search on Google to find the various debunking sites that lay out the facts and truth behind these para-celebrity readings.  From “studio plants”, bugging a holding room for audiences, doing research and pumping production people for information before readings, to mind-play tricks, all of them have been found to be fakes, yet millions seeking answers from beyond continually suspend their beliefs and logical thinking to accept these frauds and their fake abilities as the real deal.

Now, there are mediums out there that are connecting with the spiritual world, but unfortunately, it is not our dead relatives or the previous residents of a house that have passed into the spiritual realm.  In my first blog and on my first radio show for “The Paranormal Christian”, I presented scriptures that proved that when we die, we receive our judgment from God immediately, and move on to the reward (Heaven), or punishment (Hell).  In last week’s blog presented by Reverend Mark Hunneman, my co-host on the radio show and author of “Seeing Ghosts Through God’s Eyes” (www.seeingghoststhroughgodseyes.com), explained quite well how the concept of Purgatory, held by the Catholic Church and getting integrated by many people’s beliefs to explain why human ghosts would be here on earth for us to get evidence of, is not supported by the Scriptures.  On the show that followed this past Saturday, I presented listeners with even more information, from the Catholic Church’s own history, which they have not always held the belief of Purgatory and that it was not presented until 593 AD by Gregory the Great.  In fact, there was no Pope until after Gregory the Great.  Here’s a link to give you a full run down on the changes to doctrine and dogma through the past two millennia by the Church that “never changes”.  There is corresponding scripture as to why it goes against God’s Word. http://bit.ly/uymGpg .

The Bible is quite clear about contacting the dead (Using New American Standard Bible). 

Deuternonomy 18:10-12 - There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.

Isaiah 8:19-20 - When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Those are just a couple of scriptures related to this topic specifically.  So there is a great danger for those who practice and serve as mediums.  That danger is very apparent when you add in the fact that there are no human ghosts here on earth for them to communicate with.  So what are they connecting with? 

Ephesians 6:10-12 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Satan is the ruler of the dark spiritual forces of this earth, of the rulers, the powers.  This encompasses the demonic, the fallen angels that rose up against God with Lucifer (Satan) that are now demons that prowl all around us, seeking to destroy us.

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

So when mediums – truly “gifted” mediums – connect with a spirit, they are connecting with the demonic, whether they are doing it knowingly or not.  Demons are fallen angels, so they can appear as “beings of light”, and they have witnessed the life of every human being that has and is living on this planet.  They can present themselves as these people, with all the knowledge of their lives, and even their “secrets”.  This also applies to spirit guides, guardian angels, etc.  True angels, they work unseen in our lives, at the command of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.  They do not communicate directly with us, for that goes against scripture.  Demons do it because they are in rebellion, and seek to separate us from God and God’s Word.

There is only one spirit we will, as Christians, ever have direct communication from, and that is the Holy Spirit, which is of God.  When we are born again in Christ and our sins washed clean by His precious Blood, we now have a direct line spiritually through Christ and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives us those gut feelings when we come witness something not of God’s Word, or we come across doctrines and activities that are not of God.  There are gifts of the Holy Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12 – you can look up that one ;)

When dealing with the spiritual realm, be sure to test the spirits.  If it doesn’t glorify God and His Word, or align with it, then you can be assured, you are dealing with the demonic. Be sure to tune into tomorrow night’s (12/10/11) at 7 pm EST when we deal with Mediums, Channelers, and Reiki.  Click here: http://bit.ly/vwVuxM 

The Paranormal Christian – Purgatory and Ghosts

Dr. Michael Frisbee, DD/DM

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving last week.  The short work we last week left me a ton of work this week, and unfortunately, I spaced getting an article ready for my blog.  Thus, this week, my co-host on “The Paranormal Christian”, Rev Mark Hunnemann, is helping me out by presenting an article he wrote back in April regarding Purgatory.  We will be discussing this in greater detail on our show tomorrow night.

Purgatory and Ghosts.
Rev. Mark Hunnemann

Born the seventh of ten children, I grew up in a devout Roman Catholic family.  As a sensitive young boy, I understood Purgatory as hell with an ending; after the appropriate amount of time had been served, souls would be released. Who went to Purgatory? Any Christian who was not perfect when they died would spend a finite amount of time suffering in a hellish state in order to cleanse or purge away the remaining filth of sin.  After the soul had been perfected, then entrance into heaven was allowed. Thus, Purgatory was a virtual inevitability for every believer, except for a select few saints. Today, none of my siblings are Christians, and I suffer from scar tissue built up on my soul caused, in part, by belief in Purgatory. I would put bb's (bb gun) in my socks as a boy, and walk around in intentional discomfort, in order to suffer for Christ, and build up merit points which would lessen the length of my stay in short-term hell (Purgatory).

A growing number of paranormal investigators, especially Christians, are turning to the notion of Purgatory in an attempt to integrate their belief in earthbound spirits with their Christian convictions. Being trapped here on Earth, is seen as Purgatory. C.S. Lewis believed in Purgatory and he is the inspiration for some evangelical paranormalists embracing it too..

What response do I have? C.S. Lewis was one of the best read men of the twentieth century, as well as Christianity's most influential apologist (defender) during that period. He touched millions of lives, including my own.
   
However, Lewis never claimed to be a theologian. And I think he would disapprove of what many are saying about him in that regard. There were certain areas where he was aberrant: he did not believe in the inerrancy of the bible--AND he believed in praying for the dead and in Purgatory.
   
Regardless of what CS Lewis believed, the idea that the paranormal realm here on Earth is the place where souls experiences Purgatory is wrongheaded in a number of ways. First, from the data that we have from the vast corpus of EVP's, there is no correlation between official RC teaching on the nature of Purgatory and what is happening with alleged trapped souls. From their own voices, these entities--as a whole--give no expression of agony due to purgation of their sins. As I point out in "Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" precious little is said about sin, remorse for sin, longing for heaven, and the Person and work of Jesus. The body of EVP should be chock full of such expressions if the paranormal realm were Purgatory.
   
Second, official RC dogma states that only believers are allowed in Purgatory. Unbelievers are sent immediately to hell. That implies that every ghost trapped here on Earth is a Christian who is suffering hell-like torment. As seen above, that is simply not reflected in the data. Once you commit to using Purgatory as a means to explain the existence of ghosts, then you have painted yourself into a corner. To be consistent you would have to say that every ghost was a deceased Christian. That view does not have an ounce of plausibility.  If you mix Purgatory with the death criteria of becoming a ghost (any person can become a ghost given the right conditions), then you are left with a hopeless mess: some people are there because of traumatic death, and others are there suffering Purgatory! Again, official RC dogma does not allow for conversion/salvation in Purgatory--you already have to be a Christian to enter there and non-Christians go immediately to hell. There is no way a person can biblically defend the notion that hell is the paranormal realm.  If it is Purgatory (which it is not) then it can't be hell as well. RC dogma separates the two--one is temporal and the other is eternal; one has only believers in it, and the other (hell) has unbelievers and believers who die with unforgiven mortal sin. No time or need to elaborate on mortal and venal sins in RC theology-except it is repugnant to Scripture.
   
I cannot explain adequately the relief I felt as an 18 yr old young man when I first understood the gospel. In college I learned how the Reformation hinged on the debate about how we are justified before God. The concept of Purgatory is actually a symptom of a deadly disease-the belief that we are saved by faith in Jesus AND our good works. The Reformers restored the purity of the gospel by teaching that we are justified/saved by faith in Christ, plus NOTHING!! No more bb's...no more fear of Purgatory....no more angst about the possibility of becoming a Christian ghost. We are justified by the imputing of Christ's righteousness to us, and not by the infusion of grace. If it were the latter, then we would need to stay in Purgatory for eternity before we were righteous enough in ourselves to merit heaven. In Christ, the Father sees us as perfect; but in ourselves we are still sinners. Every believer is a saint. That is wonderfully good news! Purgatory is a reflection of confusion regarding the nature of justification--which is the heart of the gospel. The righteousness that saves/justifies us is outside of us-it is an alien or extraterrestrial righteousness that resides in Jesus who is in heaven.. He declares us "Not Guilty" and transfers or imputes to our account the perfect 33 years of living that Jesus lived for us. This is not a fictional righteousness--it is the perfect life that Jesus lived for us, and which the Father sees. Hence, the notion of Purgatory is contrary to the core of the gospel. Sure, when we die we are filthy in ourselves, but praise God He views us "in Christ"--union with Christ.
   
Every topic we touched on could have been elaborated on further but I trust this was sufficient to help you see that Purgatory cannot be used to support the notion of ghosts--unless you reinvent the nature of Purgatory. The scars received from taking the Catechism seriously as a boy, give me little patience with the Purgatory tinkering going on today. The problem with having infallible Papal decrees and councils regarding the nature of Purgatory is that they are then irreformable--it can't be changed.... There are many Catholic Christians who love the Lord deeply. What I don't understand is the rush to embrace a doctrine which should unravel you emotionally if you truly take it to heart. It unraveled the heart of a little boy I once knew ...